Meijer (pronounced Meyer) is a chain of superstores headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company is still privately owned and run by the Meijer family with Hank Meijer on board as Co-chairman and CEO, and Doug Meijer as Co-chairman.

In 2008, Meijer was rated 19th in Fortune’s “The 35 largest U.S. private companies.” In 2011, Forbes’ rated Meijer’s as number 13 on the list of “America’s Largest Private Companies.”

Meijer’s is heavily involved in philanthropy in and around the area of Grand Rapids, Michigan, donating substantial money and real estate for nearby colleges and parks.

The Meijer stores run a program called Community Rewards. With this program, when a customer makes a purchase with a Meijer credit card, debit card or cash, they can designate a group like a religious group, school, or other non-profit organization to receive a portion of the price paid during that purchase. The amount donated is 1% of the purchase if it is paid for with a Meijer credit card, and 0.5% if paid with a debit card or cash.

The company is a regional business with stores located in five states throughout the Midwest. The number of stores per state listed here is as of January 2010, and does not reflect more recent data. The most recent store breakdown is as follows. Illinois is listed as having 15 stores; Indiana, 28 stores; Kentucky, 8 stores; Michigan has the most stores at 91; and Ohio was reported as having 37 locations. The reported number of employees is 72,200 people.

Meijer stores have been classified as hypermarkets, or supercenters because off the large number of products offered; combining a full grocery store with department store merchandise. Meijer stores offer a multitude of products aside from groceries. The stores offers auto supplies, a nutrition center, floral departments and electronics.

The stores stock approximately 120,000 products, which includes a wide range of private label merchandise. Stores average about 200,000 to 250,000 square feet of space. Buyers can choose from over 40 departments that include hardware, toys, groceries and clothing. Most locations also offer gasoline and banking services. Their private labels include Meijer Gold, Meijer Organics, Meijer Naturals, Meijer Ecowise, and Meijer Elements.

The company operates over 200 combination stores, 177 gas stations, 2 manufacturing facilities and 4 distribution centers. Most stores include a gas station and convenience store in front of the main facility.

In addition, they have four distribution centers. The manufacturing facility produces the many proprietary products sold in the stores. The stores offer fresh produce, deli and bakery, fresh meat and seafood, bread, milk, condiments, snacks and other staples, and a pharmacy. The stores are open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, with Christmas day the only day they close.

The company has been ranked Number 13 in the list of the top 50 grocery retailers with a reported 1.9% of the retail food business. The latest figures from their fiscal year that ended January 2010, total sales revenue stood at $14.6 billion.